CD-Charts Position 1
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Vaughan Williams: Choral Works

from: British Composers

Release Date August 23, 1993
Neither work is particularly well known, even among enthusiasts for Vaughan Williams music. Don't let that put you off. Both are original and gripping works and Sancta Civitas is an extraordinary piece unlike any other work I know. It is the work in which the composer found the unique colours and dissonance that would lead to works like Job and the Fourth Symphony and is, perhaps, even finer than those great works. It is certainly original. The only previous recording that came anywhere near to doing the work justice was that conducted by Sir David Willcocks. This new account is in the same class and has the benefit of a superb modern recording that the earlier record cannot match. I genuinely believe that Sancta Civitas is one of Vaughan Williams' ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Hickox Conducts Vaughan Williams

from: British Composers

Release Date June 05, 2000
This double CD album, a mixture of Vaughan Williams's most popular and rarely-heard music, is a cherishable collection indeed for the excellent performances contained in it, the constant delight the music affords, and the fact that both discs are full to the brim with an embarrassment of riches.

Richard Hickox is a most gifted interpreter of RVW, and these performances see him - and the Northern Sinfonia - at their peak. The soloists in the concerti are also heard at their best - Bradley Creswick in the Concerto Accademico, and Roger Winfield in the Oboe Concerto.

The first disc has a most attractive mixture, much of it comparative rarities, starting with the orchestral version of the Serenade to Music, and includes the overture ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Vaughan Williams: Riders to the Sea

from: Chandos

Release Date October 01, 1999
This double CD album, a mixture of Vaughan Williams's most popular and rarely-heard music, is a cherishable collection indeed for the excellent performances contained in it, the constant delight the music affords, and the fact that both discs are full to the brim with an embarrassment of riches.

Richard Hickox is a most gifted interpreter of RVW, and these performances see him - and the Northern Sinfonia - at their peak. The soloists in the concerti are also heard at their best - Bradley Creswick in the Concerto Accademico, and Roger Winfield in the Oboe Concerto.

The first disc has a most attractive mixture, much of it comparative rarities, starting with the orchestral version of the Serenade to Music, and includes the overture ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on Christmas Carols

from: Chandos

Release Date October 02, 2006
This is a truly wonderful recording of the Christmas music of one of the greatest British classical composers of all time Ralph Vaughn Williams performed beautifully by The City Of London Sinfonia under the direction of one of my favourite conductors,Richard Hickox.
The soloists and the choir of The Joyful Company of Singers are magnificent. Sarah Fox (soprano) and Roderick Williams (baritone) sing their parts with great expression and feeling for the music. The clarity of this recording is outstanding - one can hear every word that is sung and every sensitive note that is played due to the marvellous balance of this recording.

I have heard these works performed many times but this is by far the best recording I have heard. The hauntingly beautiful ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Leighton - Orchestral Works, Vol 2

from: Chandos

Release Date October 27, 2008
This is a truly wonderful recording of the Christmas music of one of the greatest British classical composers of all time Ralph Vaughn Williams performed beautifully by The City Of London Sinfonia under the direction of one of my favourite conductors,Richard Hickox.
The soloists and the choir of The Joyful Company of Singers are magnificent. Sarah Fox (soprano) and Roderick Williams (baritone) sing their parts with great expression and feeling for the music. The clarity of this recording is outstanding - one can hear every word that is sung and every sensitive note that is played due to the marvellous balance of this recording.

I have heard these works performed many times but this is by far the best recording I have heard. The hauntingly beautiful ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Vaughan Williams - A London Symphony (original version)

by: London Symphony Orchestra

Release Date April 17, 2001
Having lived with VW symphonies all my life, I was cynical about the idea of the "original" version being resurrected.My fears were groundless -this is glorious music, and the extra sections add to an already great work. I sense the shadow of Ravel hovering in the shadows -VW had studied with him for a short while - but the instrumentation and use of themes is wonderful. All praise to Richard Hickox, a great champion of British music if ever there was one, and to the LSO. This performance has become one of my Desert island discs.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Orff - Carmina Burana

from: Regis

Release Date April 14, 2003
Found this on the Regis website - looked at the reviews and thought it might be a good intro to this piece.
Can't make my mind up about the music, but the sound is exceptionally clear and well balanced.

CD-Charts Position 8
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The King's Singers - A little Christmas Music

by: Kings Singers, Kanawa, Hickox

Release Date November 01, 1989
Found this on the Regis website - looked at the reviews and thought it might be a good intro to this piece.
Can't make my mind up about the music, but the sound is exceptionally clear and well balanced.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Orff: Carmina Burana

by: London Symphony Orchestra

Release Date September 29, 2008
Found this on the Regis website - looked at the reviews and thought it might be a good intro to this piece.
Can't make my mind up about the music, but the sound is exceptionally clear and well balanced.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Fauré: Requiem/Duruflé: Requiem

from: Decca Eloquence

Release Date October 16, 2000
The recordings of the Faure and Durufle Requiems on this CD are really very good although old, with the solos, in particular Luxon in Faure's Libera me being particular highlights